Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins in Anaerobic Soils and Sediments

Authors

Book

BIODEGRADABILITY PREDICTION: 51-64

Editor

W.J.G.M. Peijnenburg and J. Damborsky (Eds.)

Publisher

Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht

Abstract

Significant differences have been observed in the 2,3,7,8-substituted residue patterns of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCCD) in freshwater, estuarine and marine sediments. Whereas these patterns can, to some degree, be explained by source identification, PCCD at environmental concentrations were recently found to be dechlorinated via microbial and chemical processes. Both peri- (1,4,6,9-substituted chlorines) and lateral (2,3,7,9-substituted chlorines) dechlorination patterns, as well as differences in extent of dechlorination were found to be correlated to specific abiotic and biotic catalytic activities. Quantitative relationships were based on isomer-specific analysis and the apperance of selective congeners under different conditions.